Hello cruisers and welcome back to Byte Size Cruises! If this is your first time here, we are so glad to have you join us. We are a travel agency out of Philadelphia, PA and we specialize in all things cruising. Our goal here is to give you the best and most up to date information on cruising so you can plan and go on an amazing cruise vacation! We hope you will fall in love with cruising like we did. If you enjoy cruises or are interested in learning more about them, you're in the right place. To check out today's post on our YouTube channel, click here.
Today we are talking about Alaskan cruises! If you've thought about going to Alaska, it is certainly a bucket list trip and a breathtaking experience. Today we are going to bring you 13 ESSENTIAL cruising tips if you are going to Alaska. Let's get started!
First things first; the Alaska cruise season runs from May through October. If you are looking for the best weather possible, aim for June through August. These are the peak months with the longest days and the warmest temperatures. Keep in mind that peak season also means peak crowds and prices, so there is a bit of a trade off. If you go early or later in the season, the weather is more unstable but there aren't heavy crowds and the prices drop. Keep in mind that there is rain 300 days per year in the Alaska region, so regardless of when you cruise you most likely will see some bad weather.
1. Book as early as possible. You're going to get the best prices and you'll get first dibs on excursions. Remember, excursions will sell out so you want to make sure you get yours reserved as soon as possible.
2. Use a travel agent. Booking a cruise to Alaska can be a bit tricky, and a travel agent can help make sure you have an amazing vacation. Because it's at such a distance, there's a bit more paperwork, more options involved, and you're also booking flights and hotels along the way. Remember, working with a travel agent will never cost you more than booking on your own online.
3. Be prepared for extra costs. Remember, you're going to be flying further to get to your departing port, and most likely the excursions here will be more expensive than what you would find on a Caribbean cruise. Our rule of thumb is to double your budget for this trip - remember, this is a bucket list place to visit and there is more involved with it than the Bahamas.
4. Pay attention to port times! We recommend creating a spreadsheet of when you are expected to arrive at each port and leave each port and make note of this when booking excursions. For example, if it says you're leaving port at 7pm, you'll need to be back on the ship by 6 or 6:30pm. Book your adventures accordingly and set yourself up for success.
5. Don't forget your passport! A lot of times when you are cruising in Alaska it will not be a closed-loop cruise. This means that you will be on international land in between leaving your home and getting to Alaska. It is essential that you have a passport so you can navigate this without any issues.
6. Always arrive at least a day early. If your cruise is booked to depart port on a Friday afternoon, you'll want to make sure you arrive in port on Thursday. Remember, weather, flights, etc. can be unpredictable and that last thing you want is for a flight to be delayed and for you to miss your cruise. Don't risk it! Arrive early.
7. Pack for ALL seasons. Alaska weather will certainly keep you on your toes. It could be anything from swimsuit to snow weather while you are there (and every variation in between.) It's very important that you pack accordingly and be prepared. The last thing you want is for the weather to ruin your enjoyment while you're away. **Pro Tip! Bring a travel blanket with you. You can use this to wrap yourself up if you want to sit on the deck and watch the stars or the view to keep yourself warm without having to overdress.
8. Keep it casual. If you've cruised to other places, you might have experienced formal evenings on cruises. You'll see people in dresses or even suits who really go all out for an evening or two on vacation. We've found that cruising to Alaska is more of an adventure or expedition feel and no one dresses up. Replace those heels and ties with a set of hiking boots and flannels and you'll be set to go!
9. PLAN AHEAD. This is a huge factor for Alaska cruises. As much as you can do in advance, get it done. Plan your excursions, dining, activities, and carry cash with you for any extras you might want to pick up.
10. Be flexible. Pack your patience and be ready for changes! Remember, you're going to Alaska and the weather can be wild. Sometimes you're going to skip ports or go someplace different than originally planned due to rocky waters or a storm. Be mentally prepared for that and don't stress about it. These types of things happen often on cruises and the most important thing is that you come into the cruise expecting some shifts in plans and being flexible along the way.
11. Bring a camera! The views and sites on an Alaskan cruise are unlike any other on earth. These are memories you are going to want to treasure forever and be able to share with your friends and family when you return home. Using your phone camera is fine however on this type of trip it might be wise to invest in a nice camera with a good zoom to really capture each moment.
12: To go along with our last tip... Bring a dry bag to put your camera in! Remember, it rains a lot in Alaska. Make sure you have a safe place to store your electronics while out and about.
13. Last but not least... Must see ports! There are some must see places if you are cruising to Alaska. There are many different routes you can take if you are cruising in Alaska and some absolute gems to check out along the way. Do your research and use a travel agent to make sure your cruise is stopping at these ports along the way.
Those are our 13 Essential Tips for cruising in Alaska! Have you been to Alaska? Would you add anything to our list? Comment below! We would love to hear from you.